ALLEGATIONS of election fraud made against successful Tory candidates in Lightwater are now in the hands of the police.

ALLEGATIONS of election fraud made against successful Tory candidates in Lightwater are now in the hands of the police.

The Liberal Democrats in Surrey Heath lodged a petition with the High Court, claiming a sub-postmaster used his job to secure free delivery of Conservative election leaflets.

Surinder Singh Gandhum was elected as a Tory parish councillor for Lightwater but now stands accused of ordering his post men and women colleagues to deliver the campaign literature as they did their rounds.

Under election law, all canvassing costs must be accounted for to ensure candidates do not use privileged positions or money to gain a seat.

The Liberal Democrats claim official election expenses did not show any accounting for the deliveries and say this flouted the law.

Elected Tory Lightwater borough councillors Ian Bell and Dorothy Drummond are named on the legal papers at the High Court, as are Tory election agent Alan Cleverly and Surrey Heath Conservatives' deputy chairman Peter Harper.

Breaking election law is a criminal offence and Surrey police have been informed of the allegations.

A police spokeswoman said: "Surrey Police can confirm that allegations have been received in respect of elections held for Windlesham Parish Council (Lightwater ward) and Surrey Heath Borough Council (Lightwater ward).

"Police are now investigating the allegations."

Cllr David Whitcroft, leader of the Lib Dems, has denied the move is a stunt to force a by-election and loosen the Tory grip on the council.

Three weeks after the petition was first lodged, he stressed the strength of feeling over the matter was undiminished.

He said: "The matter is now in the hands of the police.

"Our next decision is whether the police will take it on or if we will have to proceed with matters ourselves.

"It would depend on what the police found whether we would continue with it."

When asked about the possibility of a by-election, Mr Whitcroft replied: "If there is a by-election we will fight it but if there is not, then we will not view that as the end of the world."

Mr Harper said: "We have received copies of the petition from the Lib Dems.

"These have been passed on to our solicitors who will deal with it.

"We expect a final resolution on the matter shortly.

"As far as the police are concerned, I have not been contacted by them and am unaware of any investigation."